In this month’s Recovery Talk we introduce not one, but two new Youth Clubhouse programs serving the Otsego community. Our friends at FOR-DO recently partnered with the Family Resource Network to launch Club Odyssey – “A place to Belong for Young Adults in Otsego County” and The Clubhouse Project – “A Place to Belong for Teens in Otsego County.”

Club Odyssey is a brand new program for young adults, 18-21 years old, who are living substance-free. Housed at FOR-DO’s Turning Point Recovery Community & Outreach Center at 22 Elm Street in Oneonta, Club Odyssey will serve as the “hub for a substance-free community on a mission to provide fun, safe, healthy, and educational activities that promote the overall well-being of our members.” Activities offered range from game nights to open mic and movie nights, educational workshops, field trips, community outreach programs and recovery coaching. A quick glance at the club’s Facebook page shows a trivia night event scheduled for this coming Friday night and a financial workshop on the calendar for next week. The clubhouse has been developed by and for young adults, and its members are strongly encouraged to help create and plan the clubhouse’s future events and activities.

In an effort to engage younger teens (grades 7-12), FOR-DO and the Family Resource Network launched The Clubhouse Project, which is currently offered every second Wednesday from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Unadilla Teen Center (16 Watson Street) and every fourth Wednesday from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Richfield Springs Community Center (6 Ann Street). While the programs are currently hosted monthly, plans are underway to make them available weekly. According to the website, “The Clubhouse Project… is a network of communities on a mission to provide fun, safe, healthy, and educational activities that promote the overall well-being of our members, including those who are in recovery from a substance use disorder.

For additional information on either Club Odyssey or The Clubhouse Project, contact FOR-DO’s Youth Services Coordinator, Ryan Alsheimer